Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-01-20

Il TIC PUBIC nc8lLn- the improvement OF nlgn-
Wa1b rates OF interest; refers TO the Goss ornt-
theological collection as the largest and most
valuable collection or birds owned by any State
] in the Union; compliments the work done by
the State printer, but thinks the aggregate ex-
pense OF State printing be materially TO-
Guced without detriment TO the public service,
especially IN the publication OF unnecessary
tables in reports. and thinks the laws are at
fault and should be changed thereby saving an
enormous reduction in the annual printing bill.
THE PRoHIBTTIOx LAW.
Three general elections hAve been held in
Kansas since the adoption ot the prohibition
amendment to the constitution. At each q
these elections the people have reatirrned their
decision against che manufacture or sale OF in
toxicating liquors = beverage by electing
Legislatures pledged TO the support Of tae
amendment. At the election in November last
this question was paramount issue, and again,
by an emphatic majority, the sovereign verdict
OF the people was pronounced against ting So
loon. No fair-minded citizen can, No law-re-
specting citizen Will. refuse 10 respect Sss judg-
nient. II is your duty, gentlemen OF the Legts-
lature, TO see that laws are enacted which
viii give practical eject TO the decision
OF the people on this question. I stated.
in my message a year ago, that While
the law of 1855 embodied some defeessv
its 4 neral results had been very favorable
have seen no occasion 10 reverse this Judgment
a great reform has certainly been accomplished
in Kansas. Intemperance il steadily and SURELY
decreasing. In thousands Of homes where
wrctchedness and suffering we're once fanliliaF
guests, plenty. happiness and content
ment abide. Thousands OF wives
and children are better clothed and fed
than they were when the saloons alb
sorbed all the earnings OF husbands and faith
ers. The marvellous material growth OF the
State during the past six years has been accom-
panied by equally marvellous 1Eoral progress,
and ii can hs fairly and truthfulLY asserted that
in no portion Of the civilized woiiIi i millio9
and half of people be found Who are more
temperate than the people OF Kansas.
The Governor that the krOhilntOPV
law has defects that should be anassndod- The
authority vested in the probate Judges is abb
trary and in sGkne cases abused. Taere should
be an appeal from his action to me district
court. Instead OF the statements nsOw filed in
purchasing nqISJrs for niedictl mssLnaaical or
scientific purposes, affidavit shosGld be re-
quired and druggists should be authorized 70
administer oathS- Probate Judges si1ho11d be al
lowed fixed susE for the services thSSy are TO
Quired TO perform under the kprohibic:cn lave
and should be prevented under penalties from
collecting the feas they now collect ga state
ments filed. The large sums thus collected
have, too, temp-Si the cupidity or probate
judges, and in IInny instances, have Brought
about loosenessp a the granting Of permits that
Aas enabled men Sho had no practicaD knowl-
sdge OF the drug hnsiness and no >ittEESon q
engaging in 4 Legitimate drug trafue to establish
sD-called drug StorErs. which are merely liquor q
azores In disguise. The authority OF tbIe State
Board OF PHARMACY should be enlarged, and all
aruggists should bss required TO obtain adsrtifi-
cate from that body before they can obtGir. pes
nlits from the probate Judge. g
THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAW.
Our general theory and practice OF law en-
f1Ecement, howeves. needs attention. Section
38l article ], of tho; constitution. provides hL
'-rSle supreme executive power ~ the; -aato
slall be vested in Il Governor. who shall sen that
this laws are faithfully executed Tihis provis-
inn of our organic lsw is practically. 'Id&2d
lcsxer, because no auGAority has ever beeE4ton-
fc.1ed upon the Governor 10 compel locaLofh-
cecsa- Eho are alone intrusted with the enforce
.lNsfz~ uiN
elesnn years ago oIsr Of my predecessors naileee
tina attention of the Legislature 10 this suh5pHt
in q special message.
I,he message refanr-ed to is quoted fraanA9
reasArd 20 the troublo,sc compelling local O9ssHH
TO execute all laws.
1snthing was done " that time, nor h@ss;.nY
re NEEDY since been EF-gTided that would enable
the executive TO fulfill the duty deyoly-A -
hita by the constitution. County and c.tAoffi-
&C u may abuse or fan. 10 perform their l:g~fu4e
~ nstions: they may 13A abet or encourages pen
SC - who daily aud hourly defying and-gio-
Ia irg the constitution and laws OF the Ss0e6c
III sy may neglect refuse 10 prosecute. snols
Of ,saders even when. the facts are bror.ssii 10
tll=fr notice: and yetI5he executive has noAnorG
power 70 compel them 10 10 their duty. nor 20
punish them for refusing 10 do il, than lEls ar1
other citizen.
Toe Governor conaiuGes this subject BIZ dis
cIaAning any desire 10 exercise autOcr;E-4e au--
thypity. but he believes some legal narhinsry
our ht 20 be provided. enabie the Executive to-
LII the requirements of the constitution and o.
Gospel local officers. 70 discharge the pain 10
t.Ms Of their positions
RESULTS oF PROHIBITION.
Fne public sentiment Of Kansas Is oveEsrfielIxl1
iu&N against the hdlb0r traffic. Thousands or
man who few years ago opposed prohibition.
o. doubted whether 10 IVES the best mts1hod OF
dazzling with the liquor traffic. have sAan and
frankly Acknowledged its benetcenJ results and
liz practical succassa- The temptatiaAs with
'zlDch the open saloon allured the youStof tas
land TO disgrace AMI destruction; the appetita
fig liquor. bred anAnIturcd within its sails by
tiue treating CUSTOM: the vice, crime, povertIf
sEnering and sorrow of which IL is always ths
Suitful source-allthese evil results octhe open
Glloon have been ishOlished in nearly c5'ery town
Bnd city OF Kansas. There is not Al observing
si1n in the State who does not kr1oWs That a
great reform has heen accomplished II kansag
~ prohibition.
RAILROADS
Inc growth e. 2se railway systenaof Kansaet
during the past. faso years has be4n phenoIn-
email. Fully LIZA miles OF road have, dur
ing that period, gsen completed, and since tha
Grst day OF january 1885, not les :han Lilo
miles have BEEN Hnished.
There ~ present 600 miles Of railway "a
operation Within the limits of th,rGtate THIS
marvellous oev,sDpment of our railway system,
gratify ing IT, the pride OF every citizen.
as nevertheless, source OF just anxiety and alS
prehension- &aile our great rs3lway corpoEzt-
tions IN tose0ry. the mere creatures of tho
State, they ara te2ily Organized - the personal
profit OF thein0Wuers and nanag.o-s, and unlsSss
Requested aLA GOntEDLc0 Dy luSt laws. ln%y nay
exert their vast powers 20 fnju4 or oppr3ss the
people. II H. therefore. alike the right ana the
duty OF tie SaIte exert its 4atorityto prc1ect0
each and all az its citizens against eztOrtiCss Or
'tiscr1minasAzns 10y the railVs7ys- Experience
las conng1Aed the opinion 7 expressed two
year, age sha: the commission system with
ample poAss.s vested iu the commission. - the
best uecAGsd OF dealing vita or regulating rail-
roads
The reds1rtiOa Of freiyht rstes eaectedey tRO
during the pE.st three years. has
been fAty al per cent There are however,
isyal restraints and regulations Wnich only
the lzS-nA,ling powet tan provide. Sha rail-
way GG<ilOrstiOns should - Sfohtbited 1ronsen-
gasing, either directly ~ Indirectly, in any